Page 69 of Caper Crush
“I’m thinking I need to do our fun-and-free-spirited test on William,” I say to Tessa.
“I thought William was not your type.” She drinks her coffee.
“He isn’t, so if he fails, I won’t cross any lines.”
“What if he doesn’t fail?”
“Maybe then it’s worth the risk.”
“You’ve got to be sure,” Tessa says. “You know I’m all about taking a risk. But you’re going to see each other at family functions. You should definitely put him through the paces.”
“What will it be then among the spring/summer options: bike riding around Manhattan, Hudson canoeing, water gun fight in Central Park?” The winter options include a snowball fight in Central Park, but that requires perfect timing—you have to be interested in someone when it snows in New York.
There’s a knock on our door. It’s Penelope.
“Hey, do you guys want to come out to Fire Island this weekend?” Penelope asks. “I have the house for the weekend. Rory and I are going, along with Zelda and Kareem. What’s happening with the investigation?”
“Our main suspects are still Edmund and Vinnie working together.”
Penelope leans against the door. “Edmund totally gives spurned-lover vibes—for Annabelle. But I don’t see how stealing your painting gets him your stepsister.”
“He gets revenge for my telling her not to marry him, which Annabelle apparently told him.”
“She did? She shouldn’t have,” Penelope says. “So Fire Island this weekend?”
“I’ve got a gig tonight, but I could come out Sunday for the day.” I smile at both of them. “Water gun fight on Fire Island? And I’ll invite William.”
“Do you have a crush on William?” Penelope asks.
“Do we still use the wordcrush?” I ask.
“She most definitely has a crush on William,” Tessa says. “I’ve got to work this weekend, so I can’t make it. Plus, if it’s going to be all couples, I’m not sure I want to be the single one out.”
“You can come out for Sunday,” I say. “And William and I are not a couple.”
“Yet,” Tessa says.
“I can ask William if he has any friends he wants to invite. Singles vs. couples,” I say. “You know you love water gun fights. And you can’t turn down a day on Fire Island. It’s not even the whole weekend.”
“Okay, okay. But I’d better get some work done so I can make sure my schedule is clear.” Tessa puts her coffee mug in the dishwasher.
“I’ll call William now,” I say.
“Great,” Penelope says. “Let me know if he says yes.” She slips out the door to return to her apartment downstairs.
“Should I leave the room to give you privacy?” Tessa packs some snacks for the office.
“Why would I need privacy?” I ask. “We’re not whispering sweet nothings over the phone. And if he rejects my invitation, then you can console me.”
I clear my throat and call William.
“Hi, this is Miranda. I’m calling to see if you want to drive out to Fire Island on Sunday for the day. My friend Penelope invited me. I’m welcome to bring friends.” There, I’ve invited him.
There’s silence.
“Are you inviting me because I have a car?” William asks.
“That is a plus in your invite column, but no. I’m inviting you because I like hanging out with you,” I say. “I don’t mind taking the train, which we can totally do if you don’t want to drive.”
